I Am Seattle Children's

Mary Brannon: I Am Blessed

Mary Brannon

Guild member since 1942, former trustee for the hospital and guild boards

I was 18 years old in 1938 when my mother joined the board of trustees at Seattle Children’s. Through those lean years, I watched my mom and dad ply their social connections to buy medical supplies for the hospital and recruit volunteers to stand in for employees who had been called to serve their country in World War II.

I don’t remember helping my parents, yet their example must have rubbed off on me. For the last 70 years, I’ve given my time – and my heart – to Seattle Children’s.

I had the pleasure and privilege of serving on the hospital board from 1972 to 1990. My favorite job as a trustee was doing regional outreach to share stories of hope and healing. A few of us would pile into a station wagon with a slide projector and screen to visit guilds across the state and inspire their fundraising efforts.

Sometimes people wonder why I chose to volunteer at Seattle Children’s and why I stayed with it so long. The answer is simple: I started because I was asked. I kept on because I loved every minute of it. Helping raise money so children can receive medical care whether or not their families can pay seems to me like the most important work in the world.

Here’s my advice for a long and happy life: Join a guild and do it right away! The work will feed your soul, and the wonderful friends you’ll make will stick with you for decades to come.

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Seattle Children’s provides healthcare without regard to race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry) or disability. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.